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In Utah's Fishlake National Forest, a colossal organism known as Pando, a quaking aspen (_Populus tremuloides_), spans 42.6 hectares (105.3 acres) and consists of approximately 47,000 genetically identical stems, making it one of the largest and oldest living organisms on Earth. Recent genetic analysis suggests Pando's age could range from 16,000 to 80,000 years, highlighting its remarkable longevity. Researchers found that while Pando clones itself asexually due to its triploid nature, which may enhance its fitness, the genetic variation among its stems is more complex than expected. The study revealed 4,000 unique genetic variants, indicating a mosaic of mutations rather than localized clusters. This groundbreaking research aims to deepen understanding of clonal organisms, with co-author William Ratcliff calling for further exploration of such unique life forms. Pando's resilience is particularly notable as it faces threats from deer grazing. 
Published: Jul 20 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe discovery of _Proteroctopus ribeti_, a 165-million-year-old fossil cephalopod found in France's La Voulte-sur-Rhône Lagerstätte, has significantly advanced our understanding of octopus evolution. Initially described in 1982, this well-preserved specimen has revealed that it is a basal member of Vampyropoda, challenging previous assumptions about its classification. Notably, _Proteroctopus_ possessed two rows of arm suckers, suggesting this trait is ancestral rather than a later development, and it lacked an ink sac, which is common in modern octopuses. Advanced imaging techniques in 2016 uncovered a poorly mineralized gladius and an axial nerve in its arms, indicating a complex nervous system akin to that of contemporary octopuses. While not the oldest octopus fossil, _Proteroctopus_ is crucial for understanding the evolutionary transition from squid-like ancestors to modern octopuses, highlighting the rarity of soft-bodied fossils due to the fossilization process favoring tougher tissues.
Published: Jul 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inNatural antidepressants, including products like St John’s wort, omega-3s, and vitamin D, are increasingly popular as alternatives to conventional treatments for depression. However, these supplements are not FDA-approved for treating any medical condition, which raises questions about their efficacy and safety. A recent scoping review identified 209 trials assessing various dietary supplements and herbal medicines, revealing that while St John’s wort and saffron showed promising effects comparable to prescription antidepressants, the overall evidence remains inconclusive due to significant variations in product formulations and dosages. Safety concerns also persist, particularly regarding potential drug interactions, such as those involving St John’s wort, which can affect the efficacy of other medications. Experts advise consulting healthcare professionals before starting any natural antidepressant, especially for individuals already on prescribed treatments, to ensure safety and appropriate care.
Published: Jul 24 2025, 1 ameznews.inA recently uncovered Sumerian myth inscribed on a 4,400-year-old tablet, known as Ni 12501, reveals a captivating narrative involving a cunning fox attempting to rescue the storm god Ishkur from the netherworld. Created around 2400 BCE in Nippur, a significant Sumer city-state in modern southern Iraq, the tablet's fragmented text hints at a story where Ishkur's capture leads to dire consequences, including drought and starvation. Dr. Jana Matuszak, a Sumerologist at the University of Chicago, highlights that the tale reflects common motifs in Mesopotamian mythology, such as the helpless deity needing rescue by a hero. Although the tablet was excavated in the 19th century, it remained largely ignored until now, with its condition contributing to its obscurity. Matuszak's analysis underscores the tablet's significance in understanding Sumerian mythology and the need for further archaeological exploration to fill in historical gaps. The findings are published in the journal *Iraq*.
Published: Jul 23 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAmidst the heated debates on migration and national identity in the United States, a new study reveals that the majority of Americans actually favor a more ethnically and religiously diverse society. Conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, Yale, and the University of Chicago, the survey of 986 citizens found that two-thirds support increased ethnic diversity, while over half desire greater religious diversity. Notably, even among white Christians—often associated with fears of a "great replacement"—the majority advocate for diversity. The study highlights that only a small fraction of Americans desire an ethnically or religiously homogeneous society. Researchers suggest that the prevailing anxiety over demographic changes does not reflect the majority view, emphasizing that acceptance of diversity is a defining characteristic of American identity. The findings aim to inform ongoing discussions about belonging and identity in a multicultural America.
Published: Jul 23 2025, 11 pmeznews.inLove black olives but dislike green ones? You might want to reconsider, as they are essentially the same fruit, differing mainly in ripeness. Both are drupes, akin to peaches and cherries, with green olives being unripe and black olives fully ripe. The bitterness of green olives is due to oleuropein, which is often removed through lye treatment in mass production. While some black olives achieve their color and flavor through natural ripening, many commercially available varieties, such as "California ripe olives," are artificially darkened with chemicals like ferrous gluconate after being picked unripe. This process results in a milder taste, making them suitable for mass production but lacking the complexity of naturally ripened olives. So, whether you prefer green or black, remember that the distinction lies in their processing rather than genetic differences.
Published: Jul 23 2025, 1 pmeznews.inUranus has reportedly found a new orbital companion, Centaur 2015 OU194, which is believed to be in a 3:4 mean motion resonance with the planet, marking the first instance of such an orbital relationship in this region of the Solar System. This discovery, detailed in a study awaiting peer review, suggests that for every three orbits of 2015 OU194 around the Sun, Uranus completes four. The research team, utilizing data from the Subaru Telescope, indicates that this resonance has been stable for at least one million years and is expected to persist for another 500,000 years. Additionally, two other Centaurs, 2000 QC243 and 2001 XZ255, are known to be in resonance with Uranus, while another candidate, 2013 RG98, may also share a similar relationship. Meanwhile, Neptune might have its own companion, 2014 NX65, which exhibits a fluctuating resonance.
Published: Jul 22 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA new study from Swiss researchers has shed light on the complex process of waking up, revealing that the brain transitions from sleep to wakefulness in a structured manner. Analyzing over 1,000 awakenings using 256 EEG sensors on participants, the study found a consistent front-to-back wave of activation in the brain, beginning in areas linked to decision-making and spreading to visual regions. This pattern varies depending on whether one wakes from REM or non-REM sleep, with REM awakenings prompting immediate alertness, while non-REM involves a gradual increase in arousal. The findings suggest that the timing and nature of awakening significantly influence how alert individuals feel, potentially aiding future research into sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea. The study, published in *Current Biology*, offers new insights into the brain's transition from sleep to consciousness, highlighting its implications for understanding sleep-related issues.
Published: Jul 23 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a controversial UK reality show, _Boys and Girls Alone_, ten boys and ten girls aged 11 to 12 were placed in separate houses without adult supervision, tasked with managing their own lives. The children were provided with basic necessities but were largely left to their own devices, with crew intervention only in safety concerns. The boys quickly descended into chaos, vandalizing their environment and splitting into rival groups, while the girls organized activities like cooking and a fashion show, though they also faced interpersonal conflicts, leading to two girls leaving the experiment early. Despite moments of tension, such as a neighbor's cat entering the girls' house, the overall dynamics highlighted stark behavioral differences between the genders. While the show offered intriguing insights, its findings are limited due to the artificial setting, reminiscent of real-life instances of child isolation, such as a 1965 incident involving six boys stranded on an island for 15 months.
Published: Jul 23 2025, 1 pmeznews.inMany people find themselves waking up at 3 AM, a phenomenon that is more common than one might think. This disruption often occurs during the natural sleep cycle, which includes light sleep, deep sleep, and REM phases, typically repeating every four hours. While waking briefly is normal, stress and anxiety can exacerbate these awakenings, leading to a spiral of worrying thoughts that feel more daunting in the stillness of night. Psychologist Greg Murray explains that the inability to address problems at this hour can intensify feelings of helplessness. To combat this, he suggests mindfulness meditation to calm the mind, or reading a book to distract from anxious thoughts. Understanding that these nocturnal awakenings are a natural part of sleep can help individuals manage their nighttime worries more effectively.
Published: Jul 23 2025, 4 pmeznews.inPhysicists have made a groundbreaking observation of the Transverse Thomson Effect, a phenomenon theorized over 174 years ago, which could enhance temperature management in various applications. This effect, related to the Seebeck effect used in thermoelectric generators, was first noted by Lord Kelvin in 1851, highlighting the relationship between temperature gradients and electrical currents. Researchers from two Japanese institutes successfully demonstrated the effect using a bismuth-antimony semimetal, applying a current, temperature gradient, and magnetic field at right angles. Their findings revealed that the Transverse Thomson Effect can induce uniform heating or cooling across the material, with the potential to be amplified in other substances. The study, published in *Nature Physics*, estimates this effect to be about 15% as strong as the original Thomson Effect, offering hope for advancements in the search for dark matter and other scientific applications.
Published: Jul 19 2025, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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